FunStuff: Charlottesville events October 25 and beyond

Counting CrowsThe music of the 1990s has had enough time now to properly age, and already certain songs have shown remarkable staying power; think, like, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Creep," or "Black Hole Sun." When history finally crowns the winners, there's a good chance that "Mr. Jones" and "Round Here" could be on that list. Indeed, Counting Crows 1993 release August and Everything After was so popular that the CD cover art, a kind of sloppy hand-written in ink affair, surely brings back memories for some. Well, frontman Adam Duritz, as famous back then for the unlikely feat of dating both Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston as he was for his music, brings the band to the nTelos Wireless Pavilion on Sunday, fresh off the release of an album of cover songs featuring tunes from Dylan and Richard Thompson. October 28, nTelos Wireless Pavilion, 6pm, $35-$65

Corner Block PartyThe Tom Tom folks are bringing their "block party" concept to the Corner this Saturday. Like the two block parties that have already been held in front of the McGuffey Art Center, Elliewood Avenue's "Tomtoberfest" event will feature live music, beer gardens, games, outdoor grilling, and more on the patios of Coupes, Biltmore, Para, Pigeon Hole and Buttz BBQ. The event also hopes to raise awareness about innovation programming at Hack Cville, the new student tech incubator that supports student entrepreneurs, and a day of events at Open Grounds, UVA’s cross-disciplinary Innovation Hub (across from the White Spot). Already the event's Facebook page indicates that nearly 700 people plan to attend. October 27, Elliewood Avenue, 2pm-8pm, free

Madam Secretary (Note: this event canceled on October 29 due to hurricane Sandy)Madeleine Albright, the 64th American Secretary of State, and the first woman in U.S. history to hold that position, comes to the Miller Center on Monday. As if that weren't enough, Albright is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including her autobiography, Madam Secretary: A Memoir; The Mighty and the Almighty, and more recently, Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948, which recounts her childhood in her native Czechoslovakia during the Nazi invasion, during which much of the truths of that time were hidden from her by her family. As you may recall, Albright was raised Catholic, and has famously said she didn't learn of her Jewish ancestry until she was in her late 50s. In Prague Winter, Albright revisits that time in her life, much of it coming from a 123-page unpublished "novel" her father, a Czech diplomat, had written and which Albright says she discovered only recently. October 29, The Miller Center, 5:30pm, free

Trick-or-Treating on the LawnThis UVA tradition is a must for parents with little goblins, ghosts, and super-heros. Not only can the kids run free on the Lawn this Wednesday, but because most of the 54 student rooms are open and offering candy and treats donated by various University groups, it is perhaps the best and most efficient way to guarantee a major candy haul. Plus, students dress up and make it fun for the kids. As an added bonus, you can also wander over to Edgar Allan Poe's room on the West Range for some creeps, or consult the creepy tour of haunted UVA from historian and radio host Coy Barefoot: uvamagazine.org/video/index/5225October 31, UVA Lawn, 4-6pm, free

DeJarnette ghostsIn preparation for Halloween, why not go find some real ghosts? Throughout October Black Raven Paranormal, a band of professional ghost hunters in Staunton, has been giving guided tours of the famed DeJarnette Sanatorium. Now, if any building might be haunted, it's this one. The abandoned Sanatorium, named after Dr. Joseph DeJarnette, who many consider to be the father of eugenics in America (the forced sterilization of the mentally unfit), was likely the site of a few horrors. The folks at Black Raven insist the place is loaded with tortured souls, and during a 90-minute tour around the grounds this Saturday (sorry, the tour does not go inside), you'll learn about the terrible history of the Sanatorium and hear evidence that spirits still roam there. Black Raven also offers Staunton neighborhood, train depot, and cemetery ghost tours. Call 540-448-1806 for more information and to make reservations.October 27, DeJarnette Sanatorium, 4pm, $10-$15

Rock out for musician's healthLooking for a good rocking time that will also help a good cause? The Fry's Spring Beach Club on Jefferson Park Avenue is hosting a Saturday day and evening food and music extravaganza to benefit the newly formed Central Virginia Health Alliance for Musicians. The group plans to provide low-cost primary healthcare, basic dental care as well as mental health counseling to uninsured professional working musicians across Central Virginia. Over 14 local acts will be performing, including Soul Transit Authority (pictured), Chicken Head Blues Band, the Eli Cook Band, and Joe Lawlor & Friends. There will be food to buy from Zazus and Fellini's #9, as well as a big selection of potluck dishes. Kids definitely welcome. Go to www.cvham.org for more information.October 27, Fry's Spring Beach Club, 12pm-1:30am, $20, kids free

Citizen LaneIf there's a guy in town with a more remarkable life, we've yet to hear about it. Attorney and author Mark Lane, now in his 80s, famously freed a Florida father framed for murdering his children, and convinced a jury that the government was at fault for its actions at Wounded Knee. Along the way, he helped folk music legend Pete Seeger make a name for himself, was a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights movement, organized a speech by Martin Luther King Jr., and was the first person to convincingly argue that JFK and MLK weren't killed by lone gunmen. Today, he's a grandfatherly-looking man reflecting back on his extraordinary life at his home in Charlottesville's Bellair neighborhood. Fortunately for you, Lane plans to share his stories Friday at the New Dominion Bookshop, where he'll be discussing his recently published autobiography Citizen Lane, as well as Last Word: My Indictment of the CIA in the murder of JFK. October 26, New Dominion Bookshop, 5:30pm, free

UnforgettableThe Natalie Cole concert coming to the Paramount Theater has a little something for everyone. For big spenders, there's cocktails and dinner at Tempo, a ticket to the show, and an invite to the reception following the show for $500. For $250, you get cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Commonwealth Restaurant and Skybar, plus admission to the reception. Then there are show-only tickets from $39.50 to $124.50. Whichever big Sunday night out option you choose, the evening should prove to be, well, unforgettable, as there will be one VIP treatment you'll all share–-hearing the Grammy-winning singer, and daughter of legendary crooner Nat “King” Cole, perform some of the songs that talents like her father and Frank Sinatra made famous. Famous in her own right, Cole succumbed to heavy drug use and illness and fell off the map for awhile, detailed in her memoir Angel on My Shoulder, but she's now matured like a good bottle of wine.October 28, Paramount Theater, 8pm, $39.50-$500

Demographic graphicsOkay, now this may seem a little geeky, but as we wait for this Presidential election cycle to finally come to a close, which could very well show us how changing demographics in America are changing politics, wouldn't it be nice if someone could show us what it means without all the chatter? Former art director for National Geographic Magazine, and what's called a"visual op-ed columnist" at the New York Times, Charles Blow, will be doing just that on Thursday at UVA's Garrett Hall–taking complex issues and explaining them with graphics, in a talk entitled "How America’s Rapidly Changing Demographics are Changing our Politics."October 25, UVA's Garrett Hall, 4-5pm, free

Auksalaq: climate change operaWhat is it? Well, it's an orchestra of sound and information with more than just horns, strings, and violins. Using modern digital technology, a composer and artist team have created a "multi-dimensional collection of narratives" that tells the story of the effect that global climate change has had on the Far North. Entitled Auksalaq, the Inupiat word for “melting snow/ice," it will show how the arctic regions of Alaska and Canada are changing. You'll see and hear scientific information, commentary, movement, audience interaction, music, and other kinds of artistic expression in an interactive, documentary of sorts. Monday will be the performance's World Premiere, and will be shown simultaneously at locations in DC, Alaska, New York, Indiana, Norway, Canada, and UVA at the OpenGrounds Studio and Clemons Library.October 29, UVA's OpenGrounds Studio and Clemons Library, 5-7pm, free

P.S. If you're an event promoter and you're disappointed that your event isn't listed here, why don't you take matters into your own hands and simply post it below as a comment, and keep the good times rolling?

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Harrisonburg's Green Expo invites you to participate in a great day of workshops, exhibits and demonstrations. The Green Expo will offer exhibits and workshops where beginners and experts alike can visit with local companies with renewable energy, green building and efficiency products and services. Participants will take away many of the tools and resources needed to move toward a clean and green energy future. If you are a homeowner, business, farmer or forestland owner - make plans now to join us at Eastern Mennonite University Commons.

November 10th, 2012 – 9am to 4pm – At EMU University Commons - $3 for Adults/Children under 12 free